I became inspired on Thanksgiving Day to study 25 traditional Christmas hymns during December. In a discussion with family, some of us admitted that we get a little tired of hearing Christmas music everywhere we go in December. For me, it’s the modern Christmas soundtrack that wears me out by mid-month. I’ve since decided what I really miss are Christmas hymns. The ones found in the hymnals that used to be tucked under our church pews. Hymns always bring back fond memories of being in church with family and friends.
Turns out, studying a Christmas-hymn-a-day during December is not an original thought. There are a lot of blogs, articles and lists of the best hymns to study. I took a random route and found an on-line album of 25 Classic Christmas Hymns and plan to tackle them in order.
Track 1: Angels from the Realms of Glory.
Written by Scottish poet, James Montgomery, published 1816
This beautiful hymn rejoices in the birth of Jesus, declares him as the Messiah and the great desire of all the nations. This baby is the one they waited for and the one to whom all knees will one day bow. The tune is, Regent Square. It’s tempo and the forceful march of chords creates a sense of urgency and great importance.
I’m carrying with me a piece of the author’s life story. Starting at the age of 6, he attended a boy’s boarding school and at 10, he began writing poetry. In describing his boarding school experience, he is quoted as saying,
“ There, whatever we did was done in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, whom we were taught to regard in the amiable and endearring light of a friend and brother.”
How have you been taught to regard Jesus?